QUEEN’S PARK – Stephanie Bowman, MPP for Don Valley West and Ontario Liberal Finance critic, has released the following statement in response to Ontario’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement:
“It is unbelievable, that at a time when families are struggling to keep up with the soaring cost of living, and a record number of Ontarians are relying on food banks, this Conservative government would choose to include zero new measures to provide families with immediate pocketbook relief in their Fall Economic Statement.
“No reintroduction of real rent control, no raise to social assistance rates, no boost to the Ontario Child Benefit, and no help for families looking to put their kids in sports and extracurricular activities. Nothing but the re-announcement of old policies and the creation of a bureaucratic bank, which will waste taxpayer dollars and do nothing to solve the problems faced by everyday Ontarians.
“Simply put, this unambitious, status-quo Fall Economic Statement will leave those who are struggling further behind, while advancing the interests of Doug Ford’s rich friends. Not a single Ontario family is better off today than they were yesterday.
“Even their flagship promises fall short of having any meaningful impact. The Conservatives are promising to build more hospital beds, but have taken no action to ensure there are nurses to staff them. They want to build new early childhood education spaces, but won’t pay early childhood educators enough to work in them.
“This government has no plan to help those who call Ontario their home, as they are too busy finding new ways to distract from the RCMP’s criminal investigation into their billion-dollar backroom deals. Ontario Liberals will continue to hold the Conservatives accountable for their mismanagement of this province, and ensure they put families first – not wealthy insiders.”